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|term_end1 = 18 October 1956
|term_end1 = 18 October 1956
|predecessor1 = [[Selwyn Lloyd]]
|predecessor1 = [[Selwyn Lloyd]]
|successor1 = [[Anthony Head, 1st Viscount Head|Anthony Head]]
|successor1 = [[Antony Head]]
|spouse = Polly Colyer-Fergusson<br /> {{marriage|[[Bridget Monckton, 11th Lady Ruthven of Freeland]]|1947}}
|spouse = Polly Colyer-Fergusson<br /> {{marriage|[[Bridget Monckton, 11th Lady Ruthven of Freeland]]|1947}}
|children = [[Gilbert Monckton, 2nd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley|Gilbert]], [[Valerie Goulding|Valerie]]
|children = [[Gilbert Monckton, 2nd Viscount Monckton of Brenchley|Gilbert]], [[Valerie Goulding|Valerie]]
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==Early years==
==Early years==
Monckton was born in the village of [[Plaxtol]] in north [[Kent]]. He was the eldest child of paper manufacturer Frank William Monckton (1861–1924), and his wife, Dora Constance (d. 1915).<ref name="ODNB">''ODNB''.</ref> He was head boy of his [[Preparatory school (United Kingdom)|preparatory school]], The Knoll, at [[Woburn Sands]] in Buckinghamshire, and attended [[Harrow School]] from 1904 to 1910.<ref name="ODNB"/> He played cricket for [[Eton v Harrow|Harrow against Eton]] in the famous [[Fowler's match]] in 1910. He chose to enter [[Balliol College, Oxford]], as a [[Commoner (academia)|commoner]], despite in 1910 having won an [[Exhibition (scholarship)|Exhibition]] to [[Hertford College, Oxford|Hertford College]]. Whilst at Oxford, he played a [[First-class cricket|first-class]] match for the combined [[Oxford and Cambridge Universities cricket team]] in 1911. In 1912 he obtained a third class in [[Classical Moderations]] and in 1914 a second in modern history. He was elected president of the [[Oxford Union]] in 1913.<ref name="ODNB"/>
Monckton was born in the village of [[Plaxtol]] in north [[Kent]]. He was the eldest child of paper manufacturer Frank William Monckton (1861–1924), and his wife, Dora Constance (d. 1915).<ref name="ODNB">''ODNB''.</ref> He was head boy of his [[Preparatory school (United Kingdom)|preparatory school]], The Knoll, at [[Woburn Sands]] in Buckinghamshire, and attended [[Harrow School]] from 1904 to 1910.<ref name="ODNB"/> He played cricket for [[Eton v Harrow|Harrow against Eton]] in the famous [[Fowler's match]] in 1910. He chose to enter [[Balliol College, Oxford]], as a [[Commoner (academia)|commoner]], despite in 1910 having won an [[Exhibition (scholarship)|Exhibition]] to [[Hertford College]]. Whilst at Oxford, he played a [[First-class cricket|first-class]] match for the combined [[Oxford and Cambridge Universities cricket team]] in 1911. In 1912 he obtained a third class in [[Classical Moderations]] and in 1914 a second in modern history. He was elected president of the [[Oxford Union]] in 1913.<ref name="ODNB"/>


==Career==
==Career==
Monckton was [[called to the bar]] at the [[Inner Temple]] in 1919. In 1927 he was appointed legal advisor to the [[Simon Commission]]. He [[Queen's Counsel|took silk]] in 1930.
Monckton was [[called to the bar]] at the [[Inner Temple]] in 1919. In 1927 he was appointed legal advisor to the [[Simon Commission]]. He [[took silk]] in 1930.


Monckton served as advisor to King [[Edward VIII]] during the [[Abdication Crisis of Edward VIII|abdication crisis]], having been Attorney General to the [[Duchy of Cornwall]] since 1932. He was Recorder of [[Hythe, Kent|Hythe]] from 1930 to 1937. Thanks to his royal connections, he was appointed constitutional advisor to the last [[Mir Osman Ali Khan|Nizam of Hyderabad]].
Monckton served as advisor to King [[Edward VIII]] during the [[abdication crisis]], having been Attorney General to the [[Duchy of Cornwall]] since 1932. He was Recorder of [[Hythe, Kent|Hythe]] from 1930 to 1937. Thanks to his royal connections, he was appointed constitutional advisor to the last [[Mir Osman Ali Khan|Nizam of Hyderabad]].


He worked in propaganda and information during the [[Second World War]] and became [[Solicitor General for England and Wales|Solicitor General]] in [[Winston Churchill]]'s 1945 [[caretaker government]], although he refused to join the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]].
He worked in propaganda and information during the [[Second World War]] and became [[Solicitor General for England and Wales|Solicitor General]] in [[Winston Churchill]]'s 1945 [[caretaker government]], although he refused to join the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative Party]].
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After the 1945 general election, Monckton returned to legal practice. He also continued to serve as advisor to the [[Nizam of Hyderabad]].
After the 1945 general election, Monckton returned to legal practice. He also continued to serve as advisor to the [[Nizam of Hyderabad]].


He finally joined the Conservative Party after the war and became a [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Bristol West (UK Parliament constituency)|Bristol West]] at a [[1951 Bristol West by-election|1951 by-election]]. Churchill soon appointed him to the [[Cabinet (government)|cabinet]] as [[Secretary of State for Employment|Minister of Labour and National Service]], in which post he served from 1951 to 1955. He was [[Anthony Eden]]'s [[Minister of Defence]] from 1955 to 1956, but was the only cabinet minister to oppose his [[Suez Crisis|Suez]] policy, and was moved in October to the post of [[Paymaster General]], serving until the change of administration in early 1957.
He finally joined the Conservative Party after the war and became a [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Bristol West]] at a [[1951 Bristol West by-election|1951 by-election]]. Churchill soon appointed him to the [[Cabinet (government)|cabinet]] as [[Secretary of State for Employment|Minister of Labour and National Service]], in which post he served from 1951 to 1955. He was [[Anthony Eden]]'s [[Minister of Defence]] from 1955 to 1956, but was the only cabinet minister to oppose his [[Suez Crisis|Suez]] policy, and was moved in October to the post of [[Paymaster General]], serving until the change of administration in early 1957.


Monckton was created '''Viscount Monckton of Brenchley''', ''of [[Brenchley]] in the [[County of Kent]]'' on 11 February 1957.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=41000 |date=12 February 1957 |page=979}}</ref> He had wanted to become [[Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales|Lord Chief Justice of England]] and indeed had been promised the job by Churchill and the two subsequent prime ministers, but in 1957 he decided instead to join the board of [[Midland Bank]].<ref>Devlin, Patrick, ''Easing the Passing'', 1985. P 93</ref>
Monckton was created '''Viscount Monckton of Brenchley''', ''of [[Brenchley]] in the [[County of Kent]]'' on 11 February 1957.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=41000 |date=12 February 1957 |page=979}}</ref> He had wanted to become [[Lord Chief Justice of England]] and indeed had been promised the job by Churchill and the two subsequent prime ministers, but in 1957 he decided instead to join the board of [[Midland Bank]].<ref>Devlin, Patrick, ''Easing the Passing'', 1985. P 93</ref>


Monckton was chairman of Midland Bank (1957–1964), President of the [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] (1956–1957) despite reportedly once describing the club's main committee as making the Tory Cabinet look like "a band of [[pinko]]s",<ref>{{cite book |last=Woodhouse |first=David |title=Who Only Cricket Know: Hutton's men in the West Indies, 1953/54 |publisher=Fairfield Books |location=London |year=2021 |pages=125 |isbn=9781909811591}}</ref> President of [[Surrey County Cricket Club]] (1950–1952 and 1959–1965), Chairman of the [[Iraq Petroleum Company]] (1958), and Chancellor of the [[University of Sussex]] (1961–1965).
Monckton was chairman of Midland Bank (1957–1964), President of the [[Marylebone Cricket Club]] (1956–1957) despite reportedly once describing the club's main committee as making the Tory Cabinet look like "a band of [[pinko]]s",<ref>{{cite book |last=Woodhouse |first=David |title=Who Only Cricket Know: Hutton's men in the West Indies, 1953/54 |publisher=Fairfield Books |location=London |year=2021 |pages=125 |isbn=9781909811591}}</ref> President of [[Surrey County Cricket Club]] (1950–1952 and 1959–1965), Chairman of the [[Iraq Petroleum Company]] (1958), and Chancellor of the [[University of Sussex]] (1961–1965).
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{{s-par|uk}}
{{s-par|uk}}
{{succession box
{{succession box
| title = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Bristol West (UK Parliament constituency)|Bristol West]]
| title = [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] for [[Bristol West]]
| years = [[1951 Bristol West by-election|1951]]–[[1957 Bristol West by-election|1957]]
| years = [[1951 Bristol West by-election|1951]]–[[1957 Bristol West by-election|1957]]
| before = [[Oliver Stanley]]
| before = [[Oliver Stanley]]
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{{succession box
{{succession box
| title = [[Solicitor-General for England]]
| title = [[Solicitor-General for England]]
| years = May 1945–July 1945
| years = May 1945 – July 1945
| before = [[David Maxwell Fyfe, 1st Earl of Kilmuir|David Maxwell Fyfe]]
| before = [[David Maxwell Fyfe]]
| after = [[Frank Soskice, Baron Stow Hill|Frank Soskice]]
| after = [[Frank Soskice]]
}}
}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef
{{s-bef
| before = [[Alfred Robens, Baron Robens of Woldingham|Alfred Robens]]
| before = [[Alfred Robens]]
}}
}}
{{s-ttl
{{s-ttl
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| title = [[Minister of Defence (United Kingdom)|Minister of Defence]]
| title = [[Minister of Defence (United Kingdom)|Minister of Defence]]
| before = [[Selwyn Lloyd]]
| before = [[Selwyn Lloyd]]
| after = [[Antony Head, 1st Viscount Head|Antony Head]]
| after = [[Antony Head]]
| years = 1955–1956
| years = 1955–1956
}}
}}
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[[Category:People from Brenchley]]
[[Category:People from Brenchley]]
[[Category:Viscounts created by Elizabeth II]]
[[Category:Viscounts created by Elizabeth II]]
[[Category:British expatriates in India]]
[[Category:English expatriates in India]]
[[Category:People educated at Harrow School]]
[[Category:People educated at Harrow School]]
[[Category:Chancellors of the University of Sussex]]
[[Category:Chancellors of the University of Sussex]]

Latest revision as of 21:13, 13 November 2024

The Right Honourable
The Viscount Monckton of Brenchley
GCVO KCMG MC PC QC
Monckton (left) with Admiral Andrew Cunningham in 1942
Minister of Defence
In office
20 December 1955 – 18 October 1956
Prime MinisterAnthony Eden
Preceded bySelwyn Lloyd
Succeeded byAntony Head
Personal details
Born
Walter Turner Monckton

(1891-01-17)17 January 1891
Plaxtol, Kent, UK
Died9 January 1965(1965-01-09) (aged 73)
Political partyConservative
Spouse(s)Polly Colyer-Fergusson
​
​
(m. 1947)​
ChildrenGilbert, Valerie

Walter Turner Monckton, 1st Viscount Monckton of Brenchley, GCVO, KCMG, MC, PC, QC (17 January 1891 – 9 January 1965) was a British lawyer and politician.

Early years

[edit]

Monckton was born in the village of Plaxtol in north Kent. He was the eldest child of paper manufacturer Frank William Monckton (1861–1924), and his wife, Dora Constance (d. 1915).[1] He was head boy of his preparatory school, The Knoll, at Woburn Sands in Buckinghamshire, and attended Harrow School from 1904 to 1910.[1] He played cricket for Harrow against Eton in the famous Fowler's match in 1910. He chose to enter Balliol College, Oxford, as a commoner, despite in 1910 having won an Exhibition to Hertford College. Whilst at Oxford, he played a first-class match for the combined Oxford and Cambridge Universities cricket team in 1911. In 1912 he obtained a third class in Classical Moderations and in 1914 a second in modern history. He was elected president of the Oxford Union in 1913.[1]

Career

[edit]

Monckton was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1919. In 1927 he was appointed legal advisor to the Simon Commission. He took silk in 1930.

Monckton served as advisor to King Edward VIII during the abdication crisis, having been Attorney General to the Duchy of Cornwall since 1932. He was Recorder of Hythe from 1930 to 1937. Thanks to his royal connections, he was appointed constitutional advisor to the last Nizam of Hyderabad.

He worked in propaganda and information during the Second World War and became Solicitor General in Winston Churchill's 1945 caretaker government, although he refused to join the Conservative Party.

After the 1945 general election, Monckton returned to legal practice. He also continued to serve as advisor to the Nizam of Hyderabad.

He finally joined the Conservative Party after the war and became a Member of Parliament for Bristol West at a 1951 by-election. Churchill soon appointed him to the cabinet as Minister of Labour and National Service, in which post he served from 1951 to 1955. He was Anthony Eden's Minister of Defence from 1955 to 1956, but was the only cabinet minister to oppose his Suez policy, and was moved in October to the post of Paymaster General, serving until the change of administration in early 1957.

Monckton was created Viscount Monckton of Brenchley, of Brenchley in the County of Kent on 11 February 1957.[2] He had wanted to become Lord Chief Justice of England and indeed had been promised the job by Churchill and the two subsequent prime ministers, but in 1957 he decided instead to join the board of Midland Bank.[3]

Monckton was chairman of Midland Bank (1957–1964), President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (1956–1957) despite reportedly once describing the club's main committee as making the Tory Cabinet look like "a band of pinkos",[4] President of Surrey County Cricket Club (1950–1952 and 1959–1965), Chairman of the Iraq Petroleum Company (1958), and Chancellor of the University of Sussex (1961–1965).

In 1960 he headed the Monckton Commission (sometimes known as the "Advisory Commission on Central Africa"), whose report concluded that the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland could not be maintained except by force or through massive changes in racial legislation. It advocated a majority of African members in the Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesian legislatures and giving these territories the option to leave the Federation after five years.[5][6]

Personal life

[edit]

He married Polly Colyer-Fergusson, daughter of Sir Thomas Colyer-Fergusson, the family who owned Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks. In 1947, he married, secondly, Bridget Monckton, 11th Lady Ruthven of Freeland, CBE, the wartime head of the ATS counterpart in India, the Women's Army Corps (India), and also of the Women's Royal Indian Naval Service (WRINS).

He was succeeded in the viscountcy by his son Gilbert, born of his first marriage, on his death in 1965 at the age of 73.

Arms

[edit]
Coat of arms of Walter Monckton
Crest
A martlet Or.
Escutcheon
1st & 4th Sable on a chevron between three martlets Or three mullets Sable (Monckton) 2nd & 3rd Or a chevron Gules a chief Vair (St Quintin).
Supporters
On either side a horse Argent crined and unguled Or gorged with a chain Gold pendant therefrom an escutcheon Sable charged with a roses also Argent barbed and seeded Proper quartering St Quintin (Gules a chevron Or a chief Vair).
Motto
Famam Extendere Factis [7]
Badge
Within an annulet a martlet Or.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c ODNB.
  2. ^ "No. 41000". The London Gazette. 12 February 1957. p. 979.
  3. ^ Devlin, Patrick, Easing the Passing, 1985. P 93
  4. ^ Woodhouse, David (2021). Who Only Cricket Know: Hutton's men in the West Indies, 1953/54. London: Fairfield Books. p. 125. ISBN 9781909811591.
  5. ^ R Blake, (1977). A History of Rhodesia, Knopf, p. 331. ISBN 0-394-48068-6.
  6. ^ P Murray, (2005). British Documents on the End of Empire: Central Africa, Part I, Volume 9, pp.lxxiv-v, lxxx. ISBN 978-0-11290-586-8
  7. ^ Burke's Peerage. 1959.

Sources

[edit]
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Walter Turner Monckton, 1st Viscount Monckton of Brenchley.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Bristol West
1951–1957 		Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by Solicitor-General for England
May 1945 – July 1945 		Succeeded by
Political offices
Preceded by Minister of Labour and National Service
1951–1955 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister of Defence
1955–1956 		Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
The Earl of Selkirk 		Paymaster General
1956–1957 		Succeeded by
Peerage of the United Kingdom
New creation Viscount Monckton of Brenchley
1957–1965 		Succeeded by
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